The KONGRA-GEL Co-Presidency Council issued a statement condemning the latest wave of Turkish state's attacks on southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq). The statement released on Wednesday includes the following:

"After Masrour Barzani's visit to Turkey and meeting with Erdogan, the Turkish state initiated expansive attacks on the Medya Defense Zones. Following their defeats in Garê, Metina, Zap, and Avashin last year, the Turkish state started preparations for today’s operation. The main agenda, according to statements made to the press after Masrour Barzani and Nechirvan Barzani’s meetings with Erdogan, was the operation against the PKK.

'THE KDP IS COMPLETELY ATTACHED TO THE TURKISH STATE'

One aspect of this recent attack that differs from past attacks is that helicopters and ground attacks were launched from the Turkish state's bases in South Kurdistan, and the KDP troops were heavily active in this process. According to local reports, Turkish soldiers dressed as peshmerga are being sent to the combat zones, particularly Kurêjahro.

We are in a critical situation for Kurdistan's people and politics; and we are now confronted with a reality that we must describe correctly. With this recent aggression, it is apparent that the KDP is fully dedicated to the Turkish state. Due to the concern of Kurdish public opinion, it has previously pursued a policy of cooperation with the Turkish state by remaining in the background rather than rising to the fore. However, because this help was insufficient for the Turkish state to achieve success against the guerilla, it now openly collaborates with Turkish state forces. In human history, this relationship is known as treachery.

If a force, a party, or any Kurdish movement joins the colonialist murderous fascist Turkish state, the biggest enemy of our people, and fights against the guerilla, that is, against a Kurdish political movement, he is termed a traitor. It is critical that all of our people, particularly political parties, intellectuals, and non-governmental groups, participate in this effort to rid the Kurdish people of betrayal. History and time will call into question everyone's position in this process. It is our wish that everyone responds to history by taking an honourable stand and fighting during this process.

‘KDP IS PROTECTING THE TURKISH STATE'

The Turkish state, which has been unable to deal with Leader Apo and the PKK and the guerrilla he has created for the past 50 years, has become dependent on the KDP to save itself from the catastrophic crisis it has faced in the face of our struggle. While the KDP was supposed to use the Turkish state's situation for the benefit of the Kurdish people in order to find a solution, it chose to function as a guard for the fascist murderous Turkish state, based on its economic and political objectives.

The all-out war launched by the colonial fascist Turkish state against the guerrilla is a battle aimed at eradicating all of Kurdistan's national and social values and achievements. In this view, on one side of this battle are the Turkish state and its servant KDP, and on the other, is the guerilla symbolizing the liberties and gains of the Kurdish people, which have come at a high cost.

'SILENCE MEANS COMPLICITY”

Our people, political parties, intellectuals, artists, non-governmental groups, and all of our friends must vigorously oppose the KDP's betrayal and the colonialist Turkish state occupation. No one should remain silent, for silence is death, and complicity in crime.

With the fall of Turkish state fascism, the main wall that the policy of treachery that has tormented our people in four sections of Kurdistan leans on, will also be dismantled. This will also mark a new beginning for our people's national and social unity, as well as their free and democratic future. To this end, our people must defend themselves and organize themselves in all aspects of life on the basis of the revolutionary people's war.

'WE SALUTE THE RESISTANCE OF SHENGAL'S PEOPLE’

We salute the Shengal people's resistance against the Iraqi army's attack on Shengal security and self-defense units. Theirs is a popular resistance that should be used as an example, especially in this phase. No power can suppress a people's collective resistance. The Shengal people's resistance teaches us lessons that we should all learn. The Turkish state and the KDP intend to erase the Shengal people's gains by using the Iraqi army. They are also to blame for the wall of shame that has been erected between Shengal and Rojava. They will, however, fail in the face of the lawful and just struggle of the Shengal people.

Today is our Yazidi people's holy Çarşema Serê Nîsanê day, which we wholeheartedly celebrate. We hope that the occasion fosters the unity and solidarity of our Yazidi people. We strongly condemn the Iraqi army's attack on Shengal just before their feast. We think that the residents of Shengal who have fought ISIS gangs will not give in to pressure or imposition."